The leader and co-founder is Stephen Perkins, who first played drums for Jane's Addiction. He co-founded the group with David Turin. The core members of the band are Nels Cline on guitar, Willie Waldman on trumpet and Mike Watt on bass.

Notable guest appearances on the second album Anytime at All include Flea, John Frusciante (both from the Red Hot Chili Peppers), Martyn LeNoble (Perkins' former bandmate from Porno for Pyros), Rob Wasserman and Buckethead.